Hi,

I have to share this story. I spent a few hours with J.P. on the Sunday of last years Stan Roger's festival. J.P. had played on a recording with me way back in 1990 so we were getting ready to do the tune after never having played together it since the recording. Not that J.P. needed the rehearsal. We had a workshop that afternooon with another of my heros Lennie Gallant. Lennie J.P. and I were chatting up this and that when JP told us the story of an operation he'd had a few years back. Of a Doctor who'd performed what was then experimental surgery on both of his hands. He showed both Lennie and I the scars that travel from the palm of his hands up to his inner forearms. He told us of the six weeks he spent in casts nearly helpless in many aspects. I was overwhelmed with the story and the thoughts of horror in having such a unique gift snatched away in a moments notice. I find it hard to comprehend the many emotions that he must have lived through during that frightful time.I find it just as hard to comprehend the fear the doctor must have had putting his scapel to those gifted hands. His gift is still intact thanks to that brilliant doctor. His name was Winston as J.P. told me when I asked and I sort of think of him as perhaps another J.P. in regards to what he does. I have a sense he's as mingboggling with his gift as J.P. is with his. I'm even thinking of searching him out an have him operate on me. Can't hurt. Just go see J.P. once in your life and you'll know what I mean.